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Classical Italy

Resort:Classical Italy
Operator: Riviera Travel
Destination: Europe, Italy
Price From: £1409.00

Overview

For centuries Italy has drawn visitors in search of culture and romance with few countries comparing with its enormous Classical origins: its art, architecture, music, design, scenery, food or wine. Its contribution to art far surpasses that of any other nation being home to the most extensive ancient civilisation, the Renaissance, the Roman Catholic Church and the Vatican. Blend this with the striking natural beauty of the Tuscan countryside, the vitality of Rome, the effervescence inside every Italian and you have unbeatable ingredients for a tour.

Firstly we visit Tuscany and its great cities of Florence, Siena and Arezzo, then Umbria and Assisi and finally, the Eternal City of Rome. Birthplace of Dante and the Renaissance, Florence has been described, since its rediscovery early in the last century, as the most beautiful city in Italy. It owes its wealth to the explosion of commerce during the Middle Ages. Principally wool and other textile industries, backed by powerful banks turned Florence into one of the worlds richest cities. Political control moved to the nobility, especially the Medici who then married into the leading royal families of Europe. The city became the cultural and intellectual heart of Europe for 300 years. Artists and sculptors flocked to the city diverting some of this new wealth in their own direction by filling the palaces and churches to bursting point with some of the worlds most outstanding works. Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian amongst others, created many of the masterpieces now on display in the Uffizi gallery, an absolute must. Another struggling but brilliant thinker found finance here too: Galileo, inventor of the telescope who, on discovering the first four moons of Jupiter named one of them Medici in honour of his patron.

We also visit Siena, the other great city of Tuscany. Beautifully medieval and enclosed behind vast defensive walls, it has rural parts even within the city creating a unique atmosphere. Indeed it is more a collection of cities being split into a series of parishes whose rivalries are still in evidence during the twice yearly Palio, the famous horse race where anything goes. However the city is quite outstanding and has arguably the most gracious square in the world, the Campo, and to be fair, when you see it, backed by the soaring Campanile, it is hard to disagree.

Assisi is principally famous as the city of Francis, Patron Saint of animals and one of the most famous figures in Christian history. Every house seems to be adorned with window boxes crammed with geraniums adding a splash of colour to the centuries old walls. The basilica of St. Francis is, as you would expect, outstanding in all its breathtaking detail.

Of all Italys historic cities, it is perhaps Rome which exerts the most compelling fascination. There is probably more to see here than in any other city on earth. Upwards of 2000 years of civilisation has given it a unique atmosphere. The grandeur of the Colosseum, scene of some of the cruellest acts ever committed, the Appian Way where Spartacus was crucified, the magnificence of St. Peters, the grandeur of the Vatican, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain and Baroque churches the list is endless. Boasting one of the worlds great cuisines, far from being pizza and pasta, one of the first things which strikes you about visiting a restaurant, is how deeply embedded in the culture, food and drink really is. Fresh vegetables and salads, combined with succulent meats, seafood, a hint of garlic and the finest olive oil create simple, tasty, and healthy menus.

One of the greatest joys of visiting Italy is of course, being amongst the Italians themselves.Stylish, always ready to help and, if there is a single national characteristic it is living life to the full, which creates the fantastic atmosphere so much in evidence.

Take a look at the Riviera Travel Blog here to readabout ‘A Walking Tour of Rome’

Itinerary Details

DAY 1ARRIVAL IN ROME

ARRIVAL IN ROME

You should arrive at the airport to take your flight to Rome from your selected airport. On arrival, a coach will take you to delightful Arezzo in the heart of Tuscany and an ideal base for our series of visits during the next few days. We stay four nights on half-board at the four-star Hotel Minerva, located about half a mile from the medieval city walls.The rest of the day will be spent at leisure, allowing you time to settle into the hotel and start exploring if you wish.

St Peter’s Basilica in the evening St Peter’s Basilica in the evening

DAY 2SIENA

SIENA

After breakfast, we drive to lovely medieval Siena which was, during the 12th and 13th centuries, one of the worlds largest and richest cities and a similar size to Paris! An unrivalled period of building took place and the range of palaces, grandiose townhouses and piazzas were built. Without doubt the main square, the Campo is one of the most beautiful you will ever see. Unusually half-moon shaped and surrounded by tall, centuries-old buildings, they are all different embracing an overall harmonious and beautiful style. Just to sit here, enjoy a drink and reflect on lives gone by is a real pleasure. Sienas cathedral is absolutely outstanding, one of Italys greatest, built from black and white marble with the most intricate carvings imaginable some of which are by the great master himself, Michelangelo. The floor is a revelation with countless thousands of pieces of stone creating a unique inlaid pavement. It is impressive enough now but had a planned nave been completed during the 14th century, it would have created Christendoms largest church. The city fell into rapid decline after the Black Death, accounting for the citys astonishing preservation. During the journey to and from Siena we shall see some of the famous Tuscan countryside: this truly isa wonderfully scenic area.

Siena Cathedral Siena Cathedral

DAY 3FLORENCE & THE UFFIZI GALLERY

FLORENCE & THE UFFIZI GALLERY

Today we visit Florence, pearl of the Renaissance, a superb and beautiful city and deservedly on the map of the traveller since the days of the Grand Tour. During our guided tour you will see the principle monuments such as the famous Cathedral which can house a congregation of 10,000and boasts the largest brick dome roof to-date.

This afternoon we enjoy a reserved visit to the Uffizi gallery, with entrance fees included, quite simply one of the worlds most monumental art collections. It contains work by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio, Michelangelo the list is endless. Florence is not just about art though, it is a delightful place in its own right. Full of shops and colourful markets which delightfully complement the citys artistic treasures.

Florence Florence

DAY 4AREZZO & WINE TASTING

AREZZO & WINE TASTING

Arezzo is a wonderful old town that has nestled behind its imposing stone walls for centuries, hidden away from the tourists. On this mornings walking tour we learn of the fascinating stories behind the many ravishing views youll encounter in Arezzos historic centre. In common with other places on this tour, the area flourished in medieval times, coming under the rule of the Medicis around the 15th century. The town contains a range of architectural styles which blend to produce a charming whole Romanesque churches are juxtaposed with timber-beamed shops, linked by intimate cobbled squares. Arezzos Piazza Grande, lined by narrow-fronted multistorey buildings and with a steeply sloping pavement, is one of Europes most evocative and atmospheric main squares, while inside the Basilica di San Francesco are the Legends of the True Cross frescoes by Piero della Francesca.

We visit the Villa La Ripa this afternoon to enjoy a wine tasting. This is an impressive Renaissance villa with a cantina dating back to Roman times. Located in the undulating countryside just outside Arezzo, its surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and produces a selection of wines including Sangiovese, a Tuscan red. The owners, only the fourth family to own the property in over 500 years, are passionate about the villa and we will find out more about.

Arezzo town Arezzo town

DAY 5ASSISI

ASSISI

Today we leave Tuscany after breakfast driving firstly to Assisi. This delightful medieval town, with its flower-hung streets, lovely views over the Umbrian countryside and fountain-splashed piazzas is famous for a single event the birth of Francis, the most revered saint in Italy. The man himself was one of the most extraordinary figures the Italian church has ever produced. He had a privileged upbringing, leading a very un-Christian lifestyle, but whilst imprisoned, God appeared to him. After release, he renounced his inheritance, living the life of a beggar, and mixed with lepers, but ultimately found his vocation founding the order of monks which bears his name, the Franciscans. Two years after his death, the basilica was built, financed by donations from all over Europe creating one of the most beautiful shrines in the Christian world adorned by arguably its greatest art collection outside an actual gallery. The building today is actually two churches, one on top of the other with St. Francis himself lying under the floor in the crypt. The mood inside is most respectful, being in tune with Franciscan principles – silence being the rule, quite plain around the tomb itself and accompanied by brown robed monks.

We have ample time to visit the basilica together with the town, arriving in Rome early evening. Our hotel in Rome is either the four-star Eurostars St John or the four-star Welcome Piram Hotel.

Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi Basilica of Saint Francis, Assisi

DAY 6ROME

ROME

Rome is, without doubt, one of the most captivating cities in the world, where ancient and modern blend perfectly. This morning, we have a sightseeing tour during which you will see many of the principle sights and monuments such as St. Peters, the Colosseum, Circo Massimo, the Vatican, Palatine Hill, River Tiber, the list is endless. Probably nowhere else on earth is there so much history in such a small area. It owes its grandeur obviously to the Roman Empire which held sway over much of the globe for nearly 500 years and then to the Papacy which for a large part of its existence, commanded as much political influence as religious. Wealth flooded in throughout the Renaissance and beyond. The result is the abundance of places of interest you see today. But its more than buildings and galleries, there are quiet areas, tiny little piazzas, lovely bars, cosy restaurants where the waiters will talk all day if you let them. All this combined gives the uniqueness which is Rome.

This afternoon you are free to explore as you desire although you may wish to visit the Vatican Museums (entrance fee not included), the only part of the Palace you can visit independently. This is the largest, richest and most compelling such complex on earth which contains so many artefacts from the citys history. Many of the finest artists of the Renaissance worked for a variety of Popes but there are other displays too: Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture, silverware and of course, Michelangelos wondrous masterpiece of the Sistine Chapel which really has to be seen to be believed.

Fiumi Fountain at the Piazza Navona, Rome Fiumi Fountain at the Piazza Navona, Rome

DAY 7FREE DAY IN ROME

FREE DAY IN ROME

Today you have a free day to explore this amazingly interesting city as you wish, so what is it to be? Perhaps some of the ancient ruins: the atmosphere of history is inescapable as you view the magnificence of the heart of the Roman Empire. Looking at the Forum, Colosseum, the Pantheon to name but a few, it is easy to let your mind wander and imagine who has preceded you: Julius Caesar, Cleopatra, St. Paul, Nero, St. Peter and when you see how compact everything is the atmosphere is quite eerie. Take a stroll around the Piazza Navona, Romes most picturesque square, lined with luxurious cafs, where the present day Romans come to see and be seen with the superb baroque fountains lending a cooling sensation to the whole scene. Walk down the Spanish steps like countless visitors before you since the 18th century. Take a coffee in the famous Caffe Greco, once the haunt of Keats, Byron and Wagner. You could window shop along the Via Condotti for some of the finest clothes you will find anywhere. Perhaps the most satisfying activity though is simply to wander where your feet take you stopping off where you wish its serenity will captivate you.

The Colosseum, Rome The Colosseum, Rome

DAY 8RETURN FLIGHT

RETURN FLIGHT

Today the coach will take you to Rome airport, at the appropriate time, for your flight home after a really memorable tour.

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